Bush Again Accuses Iran and Syria of Harboring Terrorists

By DAVID STOUT

Published: July 21, 2003

WASHINGTON, July 21 — President Bush today accused Syria and Iran of continuing to "harbor and assist terrorists," and he warned that they would face consequences.

"This behavior is completely unacceptable, and states that support terror will be held accountable," Mr. Bush said at a news conference with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy at Mr. Bush's ranch in Crawford, Tex.

Mr. Bush thanked Mr. Berlusconi and Italy for supporting the United States military campaign in Iraq. "The people of the United States and Italy love freedom, and we know that freedom must be defended," the president said. "We also understand that defending freedom requires cost and sacrifice, and the United States is grateful for Italy's willingness to bear the burdens with us."

Italy holds the rotating presidency of the 15-nation European Union, a fact that could account for the prime minister's visit to Mr. Bush's ranch even in more peaceful times. Far more important, Italy backed the American and British military campaign in Iraq, unlike two other cold war allies, Germany and France.

Mr. Bush has chided Iran and Syria before for not doing enough to combat terrorists, in his view, or for even nurturing them. He was not specific on what the eventual consequences for Iran and Syria might be.

The president leveled his charges as he told reporters that he and the Italian leader were encouraged by signs of progress toward "a great goal in the Middle East": Israel and a Palestinian state coexisting in peace and security.

Other countries in the region have a duty to promote Middle East peace efforts "by fighting terror in all its forms," Mr. Bush went on.

Despite Italy's support for the war in Iraq, Mr. Bush said he and Mr. Berlusconi had not discussed the possibility of Italian troops' replacing United States forces as peacekeepers.

"We did discuss how to broaden the coalition to bring more security to Iraq," Mr. Bush said. "It's very important for our citizens of both countries to understand that this extension of hostility is really a part of the war to liberate Iraq."

Mr. Bush has been under increasing fire at home over Iraq as critics question the basic rationale for going to war and the frequent American casualties occurring weeks after major combat ended. "I explained to the prime minister we're patient, we're strong, we're resolute, and we will see this matter through," the president said.

Mr. Berlusconi was effusive in thanking Mr. Bush for "inviting me here to visit a country which I love very much to talk about our common concerns; that is, freedom, democracy, and justice and development."

Mr. Berlusconi has good reason to be grateful for the much-coveted invitation to stay at the ranch and the prestige it may confer, for he has made political waves at home. A few weeks ago, Mr. Berlusconi caused a major stir in Europe by likening a German member of the European Parliament to a leader of a Nazi concentration camp — a gaffe for which he later apologized.